Colin's posts

Leo read the messages, and leaned back in his chair a little.

".....hmmmm." he mumbled.

It's 7ish there, yeah? he sent, looking at the clock on his computer.

Nakia's sound asleep, and I just got off duty about an hour ago. he sent further.

I can get there now, or we can wait until it's daylight over there. Your choice. he added.

He then paused, and pondered what she had said.

"Wonder what sort of collab she's thinking..."

Ryker just sighed.

"Outside." he said.

"Probably on the roof of the RV." he went on.

"...that, or up a tree." he added.

"Seems to like being perched up somewhere." he then shrugged.

Leo had been staring at the computer screen, listening to music that he knew stimulated his brain, but was getting frustrated. He hadn't "done anything" in a little while, and he was getting antsy. He had to keep his mind and skills in shape.

But what? What could he do? What was there to do?

He then sighed, and was about to consider logging off, when he noticed that Lunet had messaged him. Twice.

And both her messages caused him to raise an eyebrow.

".........hm." he mumbled.

All right, you've got my attention, AND my interest. he messaged her.

When do you want to talk about this, and where? he asked her further.

Cain returned the kiss and waited for her to get to her front door. When she unlocked it and opened it, he honked the horn quickly, and waved to her when she looked. She waved back, and watched as he pulled out of the driveway and headed off.

She entered the house, shutting the door behind her... and was alone again.

It'd been more common in the past few weeks or so, and now she knew why.

Odds are her father had been stressing about this for a while, and was almost at his breaking point.

"Hope springs eternal." Cain responded.

The rest of the drive was filled with idle chit-chat, and before Lunet knew it, Cain had pulled up to her house.

"All right, we're here." he said.

"I'd come in with you and stick around, but I got some stuff to get done at home." he told her.

"Decode some formulae for Mom." he continued.

"...she doesn't know I'm doing it, I want to try and surprise her." he then admitted.

"It really is." Cain said.

"I'm amazed he's still so humble about it." he admitted.

"...assuming that's not an act." he went on. "For all I know, he's an arrogant prick." he shrugged.

"But you know him better than I." he said.

"Odds are you wouldn't be friends with him if he was, though." he then guessed.

"I know." Cain replied.

"But I also know that you'd prefer to have an expert on that." he told her.

"...and quite frankly, I'm pretty sure he's the best there is." he then mumbled.

"He's made... so much, already." he went on.

"He's caused technology in general to grow by leaps and bounds." he said further.

"Or... well, he's laid the groundwork for that, anyway."

"I... can't argue that logic." Cain admitted.

"Now I see why you need me to house the casing... whenever it's made." he told her.

"...but you're not really the hardware sort, are you?" he asked, but it was rhetorical.

"How will you...?" he started to ask, before the obvious solution came to mind.

"Assuming it's him... you think he'll be willing to help?"

Again, Cain was silent for a moment.

"Okay.... fair..." he admitted.

"You're smart, and even know how to do a little alchemy, but even the theory of a homunculus is advanced alchemical stuff." he muttered.

"But... okay, WHAT are you thinking here?" he asked.

"You're making a body?" he asked her before she saw the gears start to turn.

"...wait... wait, are you saying...?" he started to ask, but Lunet knew that the lights had come on without him finishing the question.

Cain's eyes widened for a moment.

"Woah!" he exclaimed.

"Woah, woah, woah." he said.

"What are you talking about?" he asked. "Work, effort, and materials?" he asked further.

"Are you talking about making a huge alchemical no-no?" he asked her.

"Because even ATTEMPTING to create a homunculus is.... no bueno in the alchemy and scientific community." he warned.

"Yo." Ryker said, poking his head around the corner.

"Careful now." he told him.

"You're still a bit weak and stuff." he warned.

"Anyway, you okay?" he asked.

"You looked pretty bad earlier."

Cain raised an eyebrow.

"...I admit, this sounds like a grand scheme." he told her.

"And yes, scheme. It's clear you don't want your Dad finding out about this, and you for the idea from his overworked and stressed state." he said.

"But fine." he muttered.

"I'll clear space in one of my closets." he told her.

"...probably the one that isn't slightly shared. Completely mine." he reasoned.

"Damn it!" Ryker cursed.

"I'm sorry!" Savra exclaimed.

"If you're really sorry, then speed up the healing process!" Ryker snapped.

Savra responded by trying to massage the salve into Eke's back, so it could work its magic a little faster.

"We're all going to our camp after this." Ryker told them.

"........." he was silent, before sighing heavily.

"Right." he said.

"Well, I'll probably have to keep it a secret from Mom, as she may want to experiment on it." he told her.

"And it'll need to be properly treated." he continued.

"Bodies can smell, obviously." he went on.

"...not... sure if that's an issue at my place, admittedly." he then muttered.